I hear the roar of the river in the background and the crippling silence it brings. It delivers a melodic rhythm that borders on oscillation. I fight the sleep it is tempting as I write.

With higher elevation comes lower temperature and greater clarity in the skies. Cleaner air, more serenity, and a greater sense of grandeur follows. And in this particular spot, a soft breeze is being carried along the path of the roaring river. Everything can be heard: the rustling of the leaves, the turbulent river, the wind roaming through the trees, and occasional animals scurrying along the forest floor.

There is an assured comfort in sleeping under the stars, albeit it is much more pleasurable to share with someone you love. The strength of the mountains is comforting and overwhelming at the same time. There is nothing out here to think about save what is immediately surrounding you. When you can feel you are a part of nature – as opposed to separate from it – it becomes so easy and rewarding to enjoy the simplest stimulus out here.

As I lay here on the soft earth with an unobstructed view of the sky – aside from the few pine trees – I think of the faith I have that I will be protected in my sleep by that which watches over me. I am completely exposed and vulnerable. However the view and freedom from the openness that comes with it calms any apprehension that is associated with this vulnerability. Small risk, small exhilaration.